Ed B
Recycles dryer sheets
Hey guys..thanks for the replies. I really appreciate your thoughts.
As far as current financials...I am in very good shape. House and condo in Florida are paid for. I have a friend who rents my condo for 3 months each winter which actually covers all my condo fees and RE taxes. No debt. Expenses and I mean everything Fidelity could find are at 67k per year and that includes me paying for the condo fees and taxes. Have in the neighborhood 1.5 mill in 401k and savings combined.
Yes, my crazy issue is giving up a substantial income, at least for me (165k salary, bonuses and also get a car allowance) for a few years vs. dealing with it. I could take a low stress job, but hate the thought of giving us money for my, the kids, grandkids future.
Some of my buddies say..why let it bother you? I guess I shouldn't, but for me it's hard not to. I'm sure others would be glad to trade places with me. Wish I had that care free worry free attitude.
Perfect example, got an email last night from my hyper type A manager. Here's the quote. "Rod, I'm going to come into town next Wednesday afternoon and spend the day with you Thursday. Let's get some people out to dinner Wednesday night. I look forward to a productive few days." Ugh, thanks for the short notice, and a few days before Easter. Why don't we just make calls on Easter morning!
Thanks for listening. Verbalizing on here has actually helped ...kind of like therapy I guess.
I am in a similar situation. I am fried in what has been a high stress job, which ironically has gotten much better recently. I have a high salary for me ($140k). More than i ever thought I would make growing up in a blue collar union household. My expenses including $22,000 for healthcare expenses, and everthing i can think of including hobby and play money will be just a tad under $60k. I am budgetting $76,000 in revenue per year for my first year in retirement from pension, my wife's $12,000, and pulling from my assets until Social Security kicks in at 62. If i start social security at 62 my revenue without touching my assets will be just over $83,000. So my wife and i will be fine. But that drop, on paper, from $140k to $76k takes a leap of faith.
If you are like me i get almost hypnotized by the amount in my savings and watching it grow. But there is a point when it is enough, and based on what you told us, i think you are there. You have way more in saving than we do. Congratulations.
After posting my concerns on this forum that were similar to yours, I have now set a retirement date of Feb 1, 2019 and i am at peace with it....finally. I will be 58 1/2. I MIGHT pull the plug June 1, 2018 if markets are kind to me or if my Megacorp offers another voluntary layoff package. Every 4 or 5 years they do this and by 2018 the severance would be enough to make it work before my targeted date.
Best of luck with whatever choice you make.
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